About the Secretary

Secretary of Finance, Richard J. “Rick” Geisenberger

Secretary Geisenberger was nominated by Governor John C. Carney, Jr. and confirmed by the Delaware Senate on January 18, 2017. The Delaware Secretary of Finance is the state’s chief financial officer and is responsible for promoting the State’s fiscal health through fair and efficient forecasting, generation, collection and accounting of state funds. He oversees the State’s Division of Revenue, Division of Accounting and the State Lottery Office. The Office of the Secretary is also responsible for statewide revenue forecasting, tax policy analysis, unclaimed property administration, and bond finance.

The Secretary of Finance serves on several financial oversight bodies including the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council, the Delaware Public Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees, the Cash Management Policy Board and the Delaware Plans Management Committee to name a few. Rick is also the Vice Chair of the Diamond State Port Corporation.

Secretary Geisenberger is an Executive Sponsor of the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) created by Governor Carney to make annual recommendations on ways to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of State spending. The GEAR will improve the use of strategic planning and metrics in resource allocation decisions, develop and implement cost savings ideas for shared services across State government and public education, and boost continuous improvement practices across State agencies.

Rick previously served as Delaware’s Chief Deputy Secretary of State and the Director of the Division of Corporations. Delaware is known internationally as the corporate home to 66% of Fortune 500 companies and more than 80% of all U.S. initial public offerings. During his 16 years of service, the number of Delaware legal entities increased 140% and the State’s incorporation revenues doubled to more than $1.1 billion. The Division also earned ISO 9001 certification and won the Delaware Quality Award’s prestigious W.L. Gore Award of Excellence in recognition of the Division’s world-class quality management system.

Before joining state government as an Economic Policy Advisor to Governor Thomas Carper, he held a variety of private sector positions in banking, finance, treasury services management, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic planning – first with Corestates Financial, then Manufacturers Hanover Corporation and later Delmarva Power.

Secretary Geisenberger earned his M.G.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania, his B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College, and has completed the Wharton Executive Program in Mergers and Acquisitions.